Shakira Launches Foundation to Fight Poverty

No wonder they erected a giant statue of Shakira in Colombia. She's good people.

The gorgeous singer has launched a star-studded foundation to combat child poverty: the Latin America in Solidarity Action, whose Spanish acronym is ALAS, or "wings."

The Grammy Award winner joined forces with fellow Colombian and Nobel Prize laureate Gabriel Garcia Marquez to launch the campaign in Panama City on Tuesday, with a promise to fight conditions that kill 350,000 children each year in the region.

It's safe to assume Brangelina will get involved at some point, right?

ALAS was conceived about a year ago by Shakira, who also heads the Colombia-based nonprofit foundation Pies Descalzos (or "Barefoot"), which helps child victims of violence. She started that foundation when she was just 18, after her first hit record.

"As soon as I harvested that success, I created that foundation," Shakira told People magazine last year. "Now it's really growing and has tangible results. It is as important as my musical career."

Spanish singer Miguel Bose will serve as executive director of ALAS, which its promoters say will not seek to replace other organizations that work with children or eliminate governments' obligation to eradicate poverty.

Rather, ALAS plans to bolster existing efforts.

"We all have to do our part to fight against inequality," Shakira said in a news release.

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bidii women group•April 22, 2008 10:29

Bidii women group a community based organisation addressing the cause of poverty and injustice to the vulnerable poor,in eastern province of kenya.Kindly request for your partnership on community development Activities.Thank you,J K Munywoki